- Title: In Detroit, back to the future?
- Date: 13th September 2023
- Summary: VIEW INTO ENGINE (SOUNDBITE) (English) ALEF CEO, JIM DUKHOVNY, SAYING: "I think the recognition will come more when we start delivering, when the people start using it and there's going to be more adoption. I love that we're getting attention. Attention is good. I love that we're getting preorders. We get close to 3,000 preorders at this point with deposits. That being sai
- Embargoed: 27th September 2023 19:56
- Keywords: Alef Detroit auto show Jim Duchovny flying car
- Location: DETROIT, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES
- City: DETROIT, MICHIGAN, UNITED STATES
- Country: US
- Topics: North America,Science
- Reuters ID: LVA003182313092023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The next frontier of transportation - civilians easily accessing flying cars - is upon us.
And this year's Detroit Auto Show is featuring a protoype from California-based Alef Aeronautics.
Known as the Model A, the meshed vehicle looks less like the flying cars in old movies and more like Bruce Willis' flying taxi in the 1997 film "The Fifth Element."
But as Alef CEO, Jim Dukhovny explains, the form is functional.
"The mesh allows the air through," he said. "This is what you need for the vertical takeoff."
The Model A also relies on four motors.
Dukhovny expects the car to begin production at the end of 2025 for those that put down a deposit on the total price tag of $300,000.
Alef Aeronautics hopes to someday bring the astronomical price down to earth, landing somewhere around $35,000.
While no flying demo was offered at the Detroit auto show, Alef has already received a Special Airworthiness Certification that facilitates testing.
(Production by: Eric Cox, Dan Fastenberg) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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